China, the world's largest LNG importer, is set to keep the number-one spot this year and next and be an increasingly influential force on the global market as its natural gas storage is nearing capacity ahead of the winter. China has spent years stockpiling gas, especially with high import volumes when prices were low, and has increased – by a government mandate – its domestic gas production. China has ramped up its total gas imports so far this year and has built a high level of stockpiled gas as it looks to avoid a supply crunch…
